Clean Run - January 2018 - 18

Do not reward if the dog touches the bar, in general. You may
need to reward strong effort, but a better solution than rewarding
knocked bars is to lower the jump until the dog can figure out the
physical mechanics.

Training Jump #1 of the Three-Jump
Serpentine Configuration
The first jump in a three-jump serpentine can, and will need to be,
approached from any direction, as you will see many variations on
course. I like to avoid doing sit-stays all the time when I train, so I
start this training off with a send to jump #1, as shown in Figure 2,
so that I have time to get into the correct position for handling
jump #2-being in the correct position to handle the serp is the
main objective. You have already taught your dog the send skill
during your J-A-C send training, and you can now practice it. Even
though the approach angle is more difficult for the dog this way, I
find value in the dog learning to keep the bar up even at this angle.
If my dog could not keep the bar up then I would either 1) lower
the jump; or 2) use the sit-stay and lead out to soften the angle
of the approach and then add some angled jump training to my
to-do list.

Training Jump #1 of the Serpentine
You are only going to train with one jump, but the
diagram is showing an imaginary jump #2 for
reference. Start with a simple send like you practiced
in the J-A-C send training. Move toward serpentine
position as soon as you give your send cue and
reward the dog at R. Work the dog on your left and
right. Vary your starting distance from the jump and
vary your approach angle to the jump.

This step should go fast, but if it doesn't you have just found a hole
in your training program that you can easily plug back up!

Tips:
*

Before sending your dog, you can just have your hand in his
collar, or be playing with him. Again, no need to drill the stay
work now. You must be able to send from a distance that will
give you time to make it to serp position.

Work the dog on your left and right,

Vary your starting distance from the jump/send distance so the
dog has more speed approaching the jump.

Vary the approach angle to the jump so that can send the dog
from any angle.

Do not reward if your dog touches the bar, but you can still
congratulate his efforts. Lower the jump if needed!

In the One Jump Two Jump workbook, I suggest that you switch
out the jump for different hurdles (tire, broad jump, spreads,
etc.) but the angle shown in the diagram is too severe for those
obstacles.

Training Jump #2 of the Three-Jump
Serpentine Configuration
The second jump in a three-jump serpentine is performed as a
"catch up to heel" and shown in Figure 3. You have already taught
the dog this skill during your J-A-C training, and you can now practice it while pretending that your one jump is the second jump of a
serpentine. This training is the meat of the matter; take your time.
This training will also help your dog to take other jumps he might
question in the future because you are asking him to take a jump
with you in a new position-good stuff to learn!

Training Jump #2 of the Serpentine
The second jump in a three-jump serpentine is
performed as a catch up to heel. Put your dog in a
sit-stay positioned as if he had just completed jump
#1 of a three-jump serpentine. Call him in to take the
jump and come up to your leg. Reward him at your
leg. You will be stationary at first and then moving.
Work the dog on your left and right.

OK!
Adding Movement to Jump #2
Leave the dog on a sit-stay in a straight line with a
single jump. Lead out to the other side of the jump.
Start running across the jump into serpentine
position and THEN release your dog. Practice this
and gradually increase the distance you leave the
dog from the jump. Be careful--you must plan
carefully to be clear of the dog's path, past the jump.
This handler is way ahead of jump #2 as the dog
approaches it. Be this handler!

Clean Run | January 18

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Clean Run - January 2018